January 24, 2010 | Broadcast News

by JOANNE CHAN, FOR CHANNEL NEWS ASIA

The Singapore Government is seeking public feedback on how the country should use its land over the next 40 to 50 years.

A consultation exercise for Concept Plan 2011 was launched by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) on Saturday. Four issues will be considered during the planning process, including how to enhance the quality of life and build a sense of belonging. The other two issues deal with an ageing population and growing the nation in a sustainable way.

What does is mean to be Singaporean, and how can we provide for the needs of an ageing population are just some of the questions that will be discussed by two focus groups during the public consultation exercise.

Lee Tzu Yang, co-chair, Focus Group on Sustainability and Identity, said: “In terms of identity, it is not about hardware, it is about software. It is about how people want to live in the neighbourhood.

“Once we know how people want to live in the neighbourhood, I think that will suggest to URA the kind of hardware that needs to be put in.”

And in land scarce Singapore, planners need to balance different competing needs which can affect the quality of life.

Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, co-chair, Focus Group on Quality of Life and Ageing, said: “Quality of life means different things for different groups of people, and how do we bring all this together into something which will provide an optimal mix of facilities as well as amenities for a broad section of people.”

The Concept Plan is reviewed every 10 years to reflect changing trends.

Elaborating on these trends, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said: “Competition from other cities, the need for us to accommodate the changing demographics in Singapore, ageing population, and of course, the need for us to grow in a more sustainable way.”

Previous Concept Plans have had a major impact on Singapore’s landscape. For example, when the first Concept Plan was established in 1971, plans were drawn up for major infrastructure projects such as Changi Airport, and the first MRT lines.

URA is also seeking online feedback from the public via its website. – CNA/ms

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